Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tips on What to Consider When Hiring Hotel Security Personnel


Guests and employees rely on hotel security personnel to keep them safe within the premises of the hotel. While these places are relatively secure to begin with, crime can and does occur. Here are the key considerations you need to make when hiring hotel security personnel.

The right training and experience


Hotel security personnel must have undergone training related to security and have had experience working in the same capacity. Hotels have their own unique needs and procedures, something that an experienced security staff understands.



It is also important for hotel security personnel to have undergone training in administering first aid. In most emergency situations, security personnel are the hotel employees who are readily available to respond, so they need to be ready and know what to do in order to extend help.

A clean background
When hiring hotel security personnel, it is important to perform a thorough background check to determine if the candidate is suitable for the job. Any problems and issues that a candidate may have had in the past can be a sign of future problems, so be careful when asking questions from former employees, trainers and colleagues. Make sure their references have been checked and verified and that any claims they may have on their resumes or during interviews are corroborated.

It is also a good idea to assess job candidates thoroughly for trustworthiness and honesty. Keep in mind that they will likely interact with guests and other hotel staff. If any one is harmed due to negligence or deliberate malice on the part of the security staff, the hotel could easily face a complaint or even a lawsuit. Well-trained security personnel exhibit good judgment and proper conduct when doing their jobs.


Thorough understanding of the job.
The best hotel security personnel are those who understand that the best way to keep the premises safe is to proactively prevent and intercept crime and violations. Job candidates who think that hotel security is merely about patrolling the premises and acting only when and if incidents occur are not right for your business. Guests and other staff will be a lot safer if hotel security personnel practiced preventive steps.


Consider hiring from a security agency.
Security agencies perform initial assessments to potential hotel security personnel. In some cases, they may even let their employees undergo much-needed training to update their skills. Security agencies allow you to set your specifications and boundaries so they can tailor their services to your needs. Just be sure to check the background of the company and its past track record to determine if they are a good fit.